A small landlocked country in Central Europe, Austria surprisingly attracts close to 21 million visitors per year, making it one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Austria itself borders no fewer than eight different countries, making it tremendously accessible via an assortment of transport methods. Visitors can travel by car from almost anywhere on the continent while trains arrive daily from many of Europe’s major capital cities. Austria is also home to six major airports, the principal destination being Vienna International Airport.
The city of Vienna is Austria’s most popular tourist destination. Vast droves of visitors make their way to the northeast city to experience its historic landmarks and laid back atmosphere. The likes of Belvedere Palace, Schonbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the State Opera House all make it onto most Austria trip plans. The city’s giant Ferris wheel has also become an iconic landmark.
Other Austrian cities that prove popular with tourists include Salzburg, the birth place of Mozart and home of the magnificent Hohensalzburg Castle; Graz, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in its own right; and Linz, which is split in two by the River Danube.
While plenty of domestic and international tourists make the most of Austria’s picturesque cities, even more look to enjoy the country’s natural geographical landscapes, particularly during winter.
Millions of those planning a trip to Austria head for the numerous winter resorts located in the Alps. The likes of Solden, Ischgl and Obertauren attract skiers and snowboarders alike, as well as hikers, mountain bikers, and mountaineers. Perhaps the most famous of all of these resorts is Seefeld, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.
Visitors planning on exploring the beauty of Austria should plan a trip between May and October, a period when the magnificent Grossglockner Alpine Road is open. The road offers some of the most spectacular and picturesque sights in all of Europe.Visit Austria